Grilled Tamales with Poblanos and Fresh Corn

Ingredients for Grilled Tamales with Poblanos and Fresh Corn

• 30 dried large corn husks (90g), separated and any damaged husks discarded

• 575g fresh poblano chillies (about 5)

• 250g corn tortilla flour (masa harina

• 250g )

• 240ml finely ground cornmeal

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 725ml water

• 240ml plus 1 tablespoon lard (230g ), melted and cooled, divided

• 1 medium white onion, chopped

• 240g corn (from 3 ears)

How to make Grilled Tamales with Poblanos and Fresh Corn

Cover husks with hot water in an 8-quart pot or large bowl and soak, keeping submerged with an inverted plate, until softened, about 30 minutes. Rinse husks, 1 at a time, under running water, then pile on a plate. Cover husks with a dampened clean kitchen towel.

While husks soak, roast chillies on their sides on racks of gas burners on medium-high (or on rack of a grill pan about 2 inches from grill), turning with tongs, until skins are blackened all over, 4 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, then cover and let stand 10 minutes.

Peel chillies, then stem, seed, devein, and coarsely chop.

Whisk together tortilla flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt. Stir in water and let stand 5 minutes. Add 240ml lard and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until absorbed. Let dough stand until ready to use (dough will stiffen).

Cook onion with 1/2 teaspoons salt in remaining tablespoon lard in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add chillies and corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, then stir into masa dough.

Put 1 husk on a work surface, pointed end away from you, and, spreading it flat, mound 60ml filling in centre, leaving a 1-inch border on both sides. Bring wide end of husk over filling to cover, then fold in sides. Fold pointed end of husk over to form a packet and arrange, folded side down, on surface. Form more tamales in same manner.

Arrange tamales in 2 steamer racks and/or pasta pot inserts, standing them up in 1 layer in rows so they resemble fallen dominoes. Set steamer racks (on top of each other) over boiling water in a pasta pot (use 2 pots if you can't layer your racks; water should not touch racks) and steam, covered tightly, until filling is firm, about 1 hour. (Replenish water as necessary.)

To check for doneness, open 1 tamale to see if filling is firm and separates easily from husk; if it doesn't, steam 5 to 10 minutes more.

Remove steamer racks from heat and let tamales stand 10 to 20 minutes while preparing grill.

If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When coals are lit, dump them out across bottom rack (do not bank coals). When charcoal turns grayish white (start checking after 15 minutes), grill will be at its hottest. The grill will be at the right heat when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack over coals for 1 to 2 seconds.

If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes.

Oil grill rack, then grill tamales, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once, until grill marks appear on corn husks, 4 to 6 minutes total.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.